Member News Subjects

Council invites feedback on revised ideas for My Castle Gateway spaces

City of York Council is sharing revised ideas for new public space in one of York’s most historic and important areas – and wants to hear from residents and businesses. Updated concept designs from landscape architects BDP imagine how the Castle and Eye of York area could meet residents’ ambitions for the public space to…

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Storm storage: TPE trials new planter at North Yorkshire station

A specially designed planter that captures, uses, and stores rainwater before slowly releasing it into drains has premiered at one of TransPennine Express’ (TPE’s) North Yorkshire stations. The planter at Northallerton station captures water runoff from guttering before it can enter drains, helping to reduce the risk of local drainage networks being overwhelmed during storms,…

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Top tips to help butterflies flutter by in West Yorkshire this Summer

To celebrate Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count (12th July to 4th August), leading homebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes has teamed up with Butterfly Conservation to share top tips on how to help butterflies and moths this summer. Sam Wood, Sales Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, said: “As a leading housebuilder, we take…

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Three York parks recognised as some of the country’s best green spaces

West Bank Park, Clarence Gardens and Glen Gardens have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as some of the very best in the UK. The Green Flag Award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and is assessed by independent judges. It is a sign to the public that the…

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Ousewem launches first project at Smaden Head Farm

Ousewem is thrilled to announce the commencement of its first major project, with spades officially hitting the ground at Smaden Head Farm. This groundbreaking initiative is part of Ousewem’s broader mission to implement nature-based solutions (NbS) and natural flood management (NFM) across the Swale, Ure, Nidd, and Ouse (SUNO) catchments. An additional project will break…

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York launches new air alert service

City of York Council has launched a new service designed to send free air pollution alerts and health advice to residents and visitors most likely to be affected by air pollution. The York Air Alert service is funded by DEFRA and aims to give advanced warning of when air pollution is expected to be higher than usual,…

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Otley garden centre provides plants to renovate Leeds children’s charity garden

The team at Otley Garden Centre has provided subsidised plants to support the renovation of three areas of Leeds Children’s Charity’s Lineham Farm in Eccup. Leeds University student, Aaron Cook approached Otley Garden Centre for support when he and fellow university students wanted to renovate the garden at Lineham Farm in memory of a friend…

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New Garden Waste Subscription Scheme launches in York

City of York Council has launched a new Garden Waste Subscription Scheme, which will introduce a charge for garden waste collections from Monday 5 August 2024. The easiest way to sign up for the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme is to complete an online form at www.york.gov.uk/GardenWaste Support is available for anyone who is not able…

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Leading Yorkshire nursery, Johnsons Nurseries, partners with college for second year of successful training course

Two Yorkshire businesses, an agricultural and horticultural college, Askham Bryan College, York and one of the UK’s largest commercial plant growers, Johnsons Nurseries, have partnered up for a second year to deliver a bespoke training course following a successful launch in 2023. Developed exclusively for Johnsons Nurseries’ staff, the 12-week ‘Introduction to Horticulture’ course will…

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Whitby Netwalking with English Heritage

The West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce team visited the beautiful North Yorkshire landscape yesterday, for a guided tour around Whiby Abbey led by English Heritage. Joined by various business representatives from across the region, guests enjoyed the glorious sunshine on offer whilst also being treated to an insightful talk about the rich history…

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South Leeds Garden Centre celebrates nationwide EV rally with free charging on 2nd July

The team at a South Leeds garden centre group is celebrating after being invited to host a prestigious event for electric vehicles next month. Tingley Garden Centre is home to one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Yorkshire and has been selected to host an event as part of a five-day 1400-mile…

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Bradford College receives £2.6m grant to help tackle climate change

Bradford College has been awarded a £2.6 million grant for energy-efficiency works that will contribute to ambitious national net-zero targets. Delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Phase 3c Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) aims to slash energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. The Scheme targets public…

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Affordable homes scheme underscores association’s strong commitment to Keighley

The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has spoken of his pride after the organisation handed over the keys to new tenants of 11 properties which make up the first phase of a new development of 20 affordable homes in Keighley. The remaining nine properties are nearing completion and will be occupied later this…

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Trinity Leeds launches innovative sustainable retail concept ‘Re:Pair Lab’

An innovative new sustainable fashion concept from Trinity Leeds will see up-and-coming designers showcased alongside local fashion brands and second-hand sellers this summer. Re:Pair Lab is a new initiative from Trinity Leeds owner Landsec, partnering with Leeds Beckett University and Wayne Hemingway – co-founder of HemingwayDesign, who have been at the forefront of bringing sustainable retail…

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Leeds Beckett experts leading new project to reduce carbon footprint of Leeds manufacturers

Business and computing experts at Leeds Beckett University are joining forces with Leeds-based Quality Bearings Online Ltd (QBOL) to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, by creating an innovative new business model for the net zero era. The project is a 30-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. The academics and QBOL will create…

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Ousewem unveils powerful video collaboration with The Artery to address environmental challenges

Ousewem, an innovative flood resilience project supporting vulnerable North Yorkshire communities, is proud to unveil an insightful video created in partnership with The Artery, a champion for creativity and collaboration in North Yorkshire’s rural and coastal communities. Founded on the principles of fostering creativity and empowering early-career creatives, The Artery has received funding from Innovate…

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Innovative flood resilience project introduces talking lampposts to Yorkshire

Ousewem, an innovative flood resilience project, is transforming community engagement efforts by enlisting the help of talking lampposts to raise awareness about natural flood management (NFM) in North Yorkshire. Led by City of York Council, in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council, Ousewem aims to identify and deliver nature-based solutions (NbS), including NFM, to reduce flood…

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Council launches Buzz About York

City of York Council is launching the ‘Buzz About York’ campaign to promote biodiversity and help wildlife flourish across the city. We are trialling sustainable planting in flowerbeds with long-lasting, perennial plants that will provide a good source of nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. This will: increase biodiversity; provide habitats for insects and…

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UK first – AA launches a trio of full-electric recovery vehicles

Up to 6000 kg payload and 170 mile range from one charge Major focus on piloting shift to low emissions vehicles in preparation for net zero Fully electric recovery trucks will be hitting the UK’s roads thanks to a pioneering launch from The AA. The move will see The AA become the first UK-based roadside…

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City of York Council hits tree planting milestone

Almost 2,500 new trees have been planted as part of the council’s Green Streets© project. Working with local schools, parish councils and other stakeholders, trees have been planted along Malton Road and at Melrosegate Park, Huntington Environment Park, Carr Infants School, Lakeside Primary Academy, Burton Green Primary and seven other school sites. This first year of…

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Building a smokefree generation in York

City of York Council is helping to create a smokefree generation in York. The council has been allocated £195k government funding to help expand its existing offer to residents and provide even more support to help people quit for good over the next five years – as new figures from Action on Smoking and Health…

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Ebor Lecture: Professor Rupert Read explores climate change emergency

Spiritual orientation, climate chaos and reconnecting with nature will all be under the microscope in the first Ebor Lecture of 2024 Professor Rupert Read, Co-Director of the Climate Majority Project and Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia, will share his thoughts on eco-spirituality in his Ebor Spring lecture, Earth-Hope, at York St John…

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AAB Group launches ESG division to support businesses build sustainable futures

In line with the global imperative for decarbonisation, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting legislation is ramping up around the world. In the last year ESG reporting changes have been written into EU regulations and will be written into UK regulations over the next three years, impacting a range of businesses from larger companies through…

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National innovation award for AI powered help to cut household food waste

Data scientist from York St John University is on a mission to help us to keep track of what’s in our fridge and cupboards An artificial intelligence expert has won a national innovation award worth £50,000 to further develop a sustainability app that is helping to cut global food waste. Dr Somdip Dey, a Lecturer…

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CSI York – Project to boost green construction skills

A new initiative which plans to create new jobs, boost green construction skills and in turn help tackle the climate emergency will be discussed at a meeting next week (20 February). The council, with partners on the Retrofit One Stop Shop York (ROSSY) project, has been awarded £3.37m from Innovate UK to support, promote and…

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The role of finance in driving down NHS carbon emissions

Carbon reduction commitments already play a role in the assessment of public sector suppliers, but for this to genuinely shift the dial towards net zero, we all need to improve how we understand, assess and monitor carbon reduction both within our own organisations and among our suppliers. Since April 2023, suppliers for all new government…

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Leeds Beckett engineers collaborate to develop innovative new products using NHS healthcare waste

Leeds Beckett University and Q Medical Technologies Limited have secured Government funding to develop and commercialise innovative new products repurposing healthcare waste. The team will begin by commercialising new, low-carbon aggregate substitutes known as floc – repurposed and treated, clinical and offensive NHS waste – which are in demand for use in civil engineering. Dr…

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City of York Council backs Clean Air Night

As winter draws in and the nights get cold, the council is supporting Clean Air Night (24 January) to raise awareness of the dangers of burning wood and other solid fuels in the home. While it might appear more cost-effective to use a wood stove or fireplace with rising energy costs this winter, research shows…

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